As the Patriots head into their bye week, they have an awful lot to look forward to when they return to the practice field following a 45-7 thumping of the St. Louis Rams in London.

New England went to old England and pounded Sam Bradford and the Rams — literally. Bradford was knocked around all day Sunday, as the Pats sacked him twice
and held St. Louis to 254 passing yards, the defense's lowest total allowed since Week 2. New England gave up 140 yards to Kevin Kolb and the Cardinals, of course, and the Pats lost that game 20-18.

On Sunday, all was right for Bill Belichick's bunch, allowing only seven points, and racking up over 350 yards of offense for the 17th consecutive week — a new NFL record.

When New England eventually returns from across the pond, they will have a well-deserved bye week before preparing to face the Bills in Week 11. But even with all the positives from Sunday's blowout, how are you feeling about the Patriots as a whole?

At the midway point of 2012, the Patriots sit at 5-3 and atop the AFC East. Did the return of the running game on Sunday (152 rushing yards, two touchdowns) and the pure efficiency of Tom Brady relax those nerves? Or do the injuries in the secondary remain areas for concern? You decide.

Grade the Patriots' first-half of their 2012 campaign in the poll below, and tune into NESN Daily to see what Pats Nation feels about the team.